On Tuesday, Aug. 7, neighborhoods throughout Bellevue are being invited to join forces with thousands of communities nationwide for the 29th annual "National Night Out" crime and drug prevention event.

From noon to 6:30 p.m., there will be a National Night Out community party at the Bellevue Crossroads Farmers Market ( in front of the old Circuit City), on the east side of Crossroads Mall (800 block of 156th Avenue Northeast).

National Night Out is a civic event designed to:

Heighten crime and drug prevention awareness;

Generate support for, and participation in, local anticrime efforts;

Send a message to criminals, letting them know neighborhoods are organized and fighting back; and

Strengthen neighborhood spirit and police-community partnerships.

Residents in neighborhoods throughout the nation are asked to lock their doors, turn on their outside lights and spend the evening with neighbors and police at National Night Out. Citizens are encouraged to start planning their own block parties and open houses.

Th Crossroads event is for Bellevue residents of all ages. There will be prizes for the kids, demonstrations on ways to stay safe, entertainment, food and lots of fun, all designed around a crime prevention/reduction message. This is going to be a great opportunity to get out and meet your local police officers and your neighbors, as well as, to learn about ways to organize your neighborhoods to fight crime.

For more information, contact Officer Dave Porter at the Bellevue Police Crossroads Community Station, DPorter@bellevuewa.gov or 425-452-2891.